The New Brunswick Liberals are reversing course on the previous government’s decision to change Policy 713.
The governing Liberals announced students under the age of 16 will not require parental awareness to informally use their chosen first names and pronouns in school, although such awareness is encouraged. Parental consent will be required for formal use.
Students over the age of 16 do not need parental awareness for formal or informal use.
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Claire Johnson said informal use refers to the name a student wants to be called in a school setting while formal use refers to the name that appears on school records.
“All students have the right and presumed capacity to self-identify and communicate their chosen first name and/or pronoun(s),” the policy reads. “Members of the school environment will use the chosen first name and/or pronoun(s) consistently.
“The expectation is that families are fully involved and aware. When a student is uncomfortable providing informed consent, the school will respect the student’s wishes and work with them to create a support plan to make their parent(s) aware when they are ready.”
The policy notes that in cases when a principal or school personnel has concerns about a student’s capacity to understand the nature of their decision, an approved professional may assess them.
“We wanted to make it explicit that we wanted parents involved,” Johnson said. “We want parents involved and aware as much as possible. We really want there to be a dialogue between schools and children and everyone involved.
“This is a policy that’s meant to set a tone, and we want a tone of transparency and dialogue.”
The Liberals promised to reverse Policy 713 in the runup to the provincial election in October.
“We’ve been talking about this for a really long time,” Johnson said. “It became really important for New Brunswickers.”
The Progressive Conservative government changed Policy 713 in the summer of 2023 to require students under the age of 16 to obtain parental consent before using their preferred names and pronouns in schools. The move triggered the exit of several MLAs from the caucus, nearly leading to an early election.
The Anglophone East School District Education Council launched a lawsuit against the province over the policy change, prompting the government to attempt to dissolve the organization. The new government resolved the lawsuits with the group earlier this month.
Policy 713 also states all schools will have at least one private universal washroom facility that is accessible at all times.
The changes to Policy 713 will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Teachers’ association comments
In a news release, Peter Lagacy, president of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association, called on the province to provide “professional learning and ongoing support” for education staff to ensure the changes to Policy 713 are understood and properly implemented.
“Teachers are dedicated to fostering inclusive and safe learning environments where every student feels they belong,” Lagacy said. “Teachers will continue collaborating with families and appropriate school professionals to ensure all students receive the support they need.”
Johnson said resources will be made available to principals and teachers.